Many Maryland residents are being forced to choose between keeping their beloved pit bull or keeping their home thanks to a new state law.

Last week, the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld an April decision to make landlords liable for violent pit bulls in their tenant’s care. Since then, many apartment owners have been giving notice to residents that they’ll soon have to make a decision: either to let Fido go, or face possible eviction.

Pit bull owners aren’t happy about the situation. “I was afraid I’m going to have to give up my babies,” Rita Masters told CBS. Several have teamed up with animal groups to defend the ruling.

It has also affected the state’s local animal shelters. The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter reportedly that more than 30 dogs had been turned in because of the ruling. “These people really have no other option and they’re really, really upset about getting rid of their dogs,” Jennifer Brause, the executive director of the organization, told CBS. “They’re great pet owners.”

Erica Ho was previously a reporter for TIME in Hong Kong where she wrote about technology, pop culture and Asian international affairs. Before that, she worked at Gizmodo, Lifehacker and AOL. She now currently runs Map Happy, a travel-oriented site.